Beat the heat this Fourth of July

It was funny when my husband and I moved down here from Indiana, we expected hotter weather. This week, our families felt the sweltering 106-degree heat while we had a breezy 80s here in paradise.

Unfortunately, that heat wave that hit the Midwest this week is headed our way for the weekend. The National Weather Service of Charleston issued an Excessive Heat Watch for the area. The watch ends at 8 p.m. Saturday. However, NWS noted that the dangerous heat will affect Southeast South Carolina and Southeast Georgia through the weekend.

When the heat index values are in the 110s, it's important to remember to keep hydrated and limit your time outside. Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control to prevent a heat-related illness or death:

- Drink plenty of fluids. While it's a good weekend to enjoy a margarita, alcoholic beverages won't help your hydration. Make sure to get a glass of water with your happy hour special. Also, don't wait until you're thirsty. Generally, the feeling of thirst is a sign your body is already dehydrated.

- Replace salt and minerals in your body. If you exercise, drink a sports drink to replace those electrolytes.

- Use a buddy system. If you're doing an outside activity, make sure you have someone with you. This is especially important for "high risk" folks such as young children, people over 65 years old, and people who are physically ill.

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